Numbers Chapter 23 Discussion



 
  • GiGi on Numbers 23:23 - 9 months ago
    NUM. CH. 23

    Balak must have acknowledged that YHWH had the authority in this situation, even above himself.

    Balaam's parable was that God cannot lie, for He is not a man, a created being, and He never sins, like all humans. Vs. 19 goes on to say that Balaam says that God is true to His word. Whatever He has spoken, He will do it.

    Vs. 20-21 Balaam tells Balak that he has received a commandment from God to bless Israel, and He hath blessed Israel. This blessing cannot be reversed. God does not hold Jacob's sin against him because He has given Israel the means to have their sins forgiven and that the LORD is with Israel, bot against him. Balaam also says that the shout of a king is among them. I think that this is prophetic, concerning the Messiah King to come (Jesus Christ) who will bring salvation and forgiveness to Israel.

    Balaam attests to the fact that it was the LORD who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, saying that he has the strength of an unicorn. Is Balaam speaking of Israel having this strength or the LORD?

    Vs, 23 Israel does not possess any of these blessings through enchantment or from divination. but all has been wrought by YHWH and this is what will be proclaimed about the Jacob/Israel.

    Balaam then goes on to say that Israel will drink the blood of the slain like a lion. This does not mean that the Israelites will actually drink blood as they are prohibited in the Law from doing so. It is just saying that, like a lion, Israel will totally destroy the enemies.

    Balak tells Balaam to either curse Israel nor not bless them at all. Balaam answers, reminding Balak that he told Balak that he must only say all that the LORD tells him to speak concerning Israel.

    So Balak again, takes Balaam to another mountain top, Peor. Balaam again says to build seven altars to sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams. Balak thinks that perhaps this time. YHWH will allow Balaam to curse Israel. So now this is the fourth mountain (high place of Baal). cont. pt. 4
  • GiGi on Numbers 23 - 9 months ago
    NUM. 23

    Oops I meant to say that Balaam went to a place to be alone.

    YHWH put in Balaam's mouth the words He willed for Balaam to speak. And then Balaam left to see Balak. Whether God spoke the words He wanted Balaam to say or if He placed them in Balaam's mind, we just don't know.

    When Balaam came before Balak and the princes of Moab, he spoke the words that God put in him. He used his office as a prophet of YHWH to pronounce a blessing upon Israel.

    "How can I curse, whom God has not cursed? or defile those God has not defiled?

    Vs. 9 is a bit confusing: "From the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations."

    Is Balaam speaking of the LORD as to whom he sees or the Israel? The rest of the verse is definitely about Israel. As God's chosen people, Israel will be set apart as "holy unto the LORD" and not mingle with the other nations of the land promised to them.

    Vs. 10 Balaam hopes to die a righteous death like Jacob did. In this verse, Balaam definitely desires to have the favor of God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did, so he must have had knowledge of them and their faith and that it was counted to them as righteousness.

    Balak questions why Balaam did not curse Israel. Balaam's reply was that he must take heed of and speak what the LORD had put in him to speak.

    So Balak takes Balaam to another mountain, a high place of Baal, so that Balaam can see the encampment of Israel, most of it except the utmost part of it. So some of the people were out of the sight of the place where they went, Mt. Pisgah. Again, seven altars are built and seven bulls and seven rams are sacrificed there. Again Balaam tells Balak to stay by the sacrifice as he goes off to meet the LORD off yonder. And again the LORD meets Balaam and gives him the words he is to say to Balak. Balak asks:

    What has the LORD spoken?" So, it seems that Balak acknowledges the God of Balaam. cont. Pt 3
  • GiGi on Numbers 23 - 9 months ago
    NUMBERS CHAPTER 23

    Cont...

    Balak left to a place to be alone hoping that the LORD would come to meet with him. This must have happened often with Balaam, but he stated that "peradventure" the LORD would come to him. So, most likely, even though Balaam had a practice of going to a place to be alone to seek God's presence, God may not have always come to him, but did so often enough for Balaam to hope for it to occur.

    When YHWH did appear to Balaam and Balaam spoke of preparing seven altars and the sacrifices for Him, YHWH did not reprimand Balaam's way of sacrificing to Him.

    to be continued.. got to break away for a time.
  • GiGi on Numbers 23 - 9 months ago
    NUMBERS CHAPTER 23

    Continued...

    In Job 42:8 seven bulls and seven rams were offered to YHWH by Job after having his amazing and life-changing encounter and conversation with YHWH. Job sacrificed on behalf of his "counselors" having forgiven them for their mis-counsel and asking YHWH to forgive them, also. In Numbers 23, Balaam also asks that seven bulls and seven rams be offered to YHWH on the high places where Balak took him to curse Israel. Unlike Job, Balaam asked for seven different altars instead of just one. Perhaps this was to have all sacrificed at the same time. Maybe it was a custom to do so among those who followed YHWH, or maybe having seven altars was the practice of the pagans when they sacrificed to multiple idols. We really don't know why Balaam asked for seven altars, but we do know that the number seven is so often referred to in Scripture and may therefore be a number to symbolize perfection of completeness or a reverend way to honor God.

    In Nu. 22:40, Balak offered oxen and sheep on the high place before he sent for Balaam. So apparently, offering oxen and sheep was common for the Moabites (descendants of Lot) also. The next day (vs. 41) Balak took Balaam and took him up to the high places of Baal in order to view the Israelites camped below. We do not know if Balak worshipped Baal or not, but it seems so, but maybe most of the mountains in the area were places where altars were set up to sacrifice to Baal and so, in order to view the encampment one needed to go to a mountain which happened to be a place of Baal worship, as vs, 41 seems to imply.

    Num. 23:1 When both Balaam and Balak were on this high place, Balaam asks for seven altars to be built and seven bullocks and seven rams to be brought to him on the mountain to be sacrificed. Balak did as Balaam asked. It was Balaam who did the sacrificing, but it was not to Baal, but YHWH. Balaam asked Balak to stand by the sacrifice. ..... cont. Pt. 3
  • GiGi on Numbers 23 - 9 months ago
    NUMBERS CHAPTER 23

    At the end of Chapter 22, Balaam arrives before Balak. Balak takes Balaam to the top of a mountain (a high place where pagans sacrificed to idols) in order for Balaam to overlook the camp of the Israelites and consider how to curse them. However, Balaam tells Balak that he can only say what YHWH tells him to say concerning Israel. Balaam seems to know that God is all-powerful and can strike him dead if he does not speak for Him in this situation. Balaam seems to have some fear of YHWH along with his belief in Him. It is most likely that Balaam had enough knowledge of YHWH and relationship with YHWH to worship Him and be used by YHWH as a prophet. Balaam's faith in YHWH was very incomplete and lacking many things that Abraham had in his faith in YHWH.

    This chapter speaks of Balaam being called by Balak from his home country in Aram, which is where Haran was located. Nahor, Laban, Rebekkah, Leah, and Rachel all were from Aram which is in northeast Syria near the eastern tributary of the Euphrates.

    With the contact of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with these relatives, it is likely that there was knowledge of YHWH taught from generation to generation. Balaam was obviously a prophet of YHWH just as Jethro was a priest of YHWH. Midianites were descended from the son of Abraham and Keturah. Abraham must have passed his belief of YHWH to this and the others sons of Keturah, so their descendants would also have faith in YHWH. It is apparent that God calls people from peoples that are not Israelites and communicates with them by appearing to them as He did to Moses. Balaam was among those related to the family of Abraham who was blessed with faith and knowledge of YHWH and with a prophetic voice and perhaps miraculous powers. He was blessed with speaking directly with YHWH. But it seems that, like the Israelites, Balaam was also influenced by the pagan beliefs and practices of those around him. Syncretism was so easily applied to one's faith. cont. Pt. 2
  • Dianne - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    To me Christianity did not start out as a religion it was made into one, the apostle paul fought ir all the time.
  • Earl Bowman - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Amen and Amen, Brother S Spencer: Grace stands ALONE!

    And they will say unto me in that DAY: did I not, etc....etc...and he will say depart from me yea workers of iniquities.

    All (work) is of GOD (the Spirit), we are JUST the vessels.
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Brother Adam.

    That's a great way to put it!!

    I never looked at it like that, I guess one can say Christianity is not a religion but when man adds his belief systems or efforts to establish his contribution to this grace, Suddenly he has fallen from Grace and put himself under a religion.

    In this case I believe the first act religion is when Adam and Eve tried to Clothe themselves.

    Also Abraham and Sarah showed an act of religion when they agreed to have a child by Sarah's handmaid, for the heir, when the heir was supposed to come by promise. I believe When you try to add to the Grace of God by adding some man made condition you put yourself under a religion and have fallen from grace.

    God bless.
  • Adam - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    To me, everyone has a religion, because everyone holds certain beliefs to explain their worldview on life. Atheism is a religion too and atheists believe certain things to explain why they think they exist. Political ideologies are some people's religion, for example some hold their faith and hope in is government. Some will censor, edit, gaslight to try to make their belief seem believable and true. People throughout history have made up and worshipped false gods, so people inventing a belief system as their own twisted religion isn't anything new. Christianity is a religion. Some seem to hold a negative connotation towards that word and assume it only means works, but I don't buy into that. If you look up the word religion in the dictionary Christianity fits the definition exactly, and everyone else has a religion (belief system) too, even if they say they don't.
  • Glenn - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Christianity I do not believe is a religion its a Father taking care of the family he called out of the darkness of this world.
  • Dianne - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Glenn I've always considered religion as mans way of getting to God works ,works,works, Jesus Christ was God way of Getting the Family a Father wanted Grace,Grace,Grace. It's interesting that the first time in the scripture that God is called a Father is by Jesus Christ, from what i've seen. Best definition I've ever heard of grace was divine unmerited favour God to man.
  • Glenn - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Hi Dianne ,.. thank you,.. although I think dominations means divisions, an of course our father loves all his children, so I'm a Christian, an old school values,.. for Christianity is not a religion, it's a reality
  • Dianne - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Glenn The greatest challenge in the field of Biblical knowledge and research will be getting to what was oridinally written and mean't. You will find equally intelligent theologians and scholars and ministers believing different things about the same subject matter. This is the source of denominations. I've observed it for years and its very educational.
  • Glenn - In Reply on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    Exactly,.. translations are not always right, although the men in 1611 tried to break down the Hebrew , Greek , an almanacs,.. you must get a Dr Strongs concordance, or a companion Bible,.. like the word Easter ? In acts ,.. the word is actually, Pasco ,.. meaning passova,.. there is no such thing as Easter ,..
  • Michael on Numbers 23:19 - 2 years ago
    If you have questions about the unicorn, the latin vulgate version the term is "rinocercos" coming from the hebrew "ra'am". A male rhino is called a bull. Things that were common knowledge 400 years ago are not today. Does anyone here know how to thresh wheat? language evolves and Satan uses that to obscure truth. If you had never seen a rhino before whay would you describe it as? And yes the african rhnio has two horns but the indian rhino had one. It was hunted to extinction like the dodo bird. If Satan can raise a little doubt by changing the meaning of a single word how many people you think have dismissed the bible as supernatural folklore because of word play and lack of understanding? Like the game telephone. You have to have a sharp memory and study to pass down oral tradition or write it down.
  • Gary Lee - In Reply on Numbers 23:22 - 3 years ago
    "Unicorn in the Hebrew means-reym-[a wild bull, to rise , be lifted up] and Candlestick means- menowrah-[chandelier, to shine, to glisten, lamp, candle, light] So I fail to see how unicorn is incorrect and what ever do you mean by supernaturally embedded. If the Bible was translated incorrectly then we are all doomed. This should be a lesson to us all to study the word correctly. Words in the Bible don't always mean what we think."
  • Gary Lee - In Reply on Numbers 23:22 - 3 years ago
    Unicorn in the Hebrew means-reym-[a wild bull, to rise , be lifted up] and Candlestick means- menowrah-[chandelier, to shine, to glisten, lamp, candle, light] So I fail to see how unicorn is incorrect and what ever do you mean by supernaturally embedded. If the Bible was translated incorrectly then we are all doomed. This should be a lesson to us all to study the word correctly. Words in the Bible don't always mean what we think.
  • Kenneth Prato - In Reply on Numbers 23:22 - 3 years ago
    The use of the word unicorn is incorrect. And this isn't the only location in Scripture where a unicorn has been supernaturally embedded in Scripture in the King James version. Numbers 24:8, Job 39:9-10, Psalms 29:6, Psalms 92:10. Another example would be in the book of Revelation chapter 1. The word candlestick has replaced lampstand in 4 locations. Revelation 1:12-13 and twice again in verse 20.



    "Unicorn" occurs 6 times in 6 verses in the KJV, including 6 exact phrases shown first.

    Num 23:22

    God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

    Num 24:8

    God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

    Box Job 39:9

    Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

    Job 39:10

    Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

    Psa 29:6

    He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

    Psa 92:10

    But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

    so what is going on?
  • Savannah on Numbers 23 - 3 years ago
    This website is good when you just want to look up the bible online. It is super easy, and god bless everyone!!
  • Michael Davis on Numbers 23:19 - 3 years ago
    This verse is also my favorite too.A very good friend,who incidentally gave me my first Bible.I have found down through the years, he has been extremely faithfull.
  • Andy G van den Berg on Numbers 23:23 - 3 years ago
    On NUMBERS 23:19

    The Word of God is God ( John 1:1) and is not of any private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20).

    The word 'Repent' in different forms (repent, repentance, repented, repentest, repenteth, repenting, repentings) is mentioned 110 times in the KJV, and means a lot more than what people by nature have been conditioned to believe. The word 'repent' used in the New Testament was translated from the Greek word "metanoeo", and means to change, transform, to think differently or reconsider.

    It is the key principle of all the teachings of Jesus Christ and the axiom (basis) of the Word of God and a prerequisite and primary requirement for the salvation of mankind. It actually means the changing of spirits - to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:18).

    For a better understanding and the 'spiritual truth' of what it means to repent, and learn how and by whom mankind has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9) and what people must do to be reunited with the true and living God, we invite you to seek Him according to the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive ( Matthew 7:7; John 14:17).

    You need not that any man teach you ( Isaiah 54:13; 6:45; 1 John 2:27), as mankind follows after an image of a false god and a false Christ ( Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Gal. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev. 12:9).

    It is only by revelation of God that people will come to know the true Christ ( Daniel 12:4,9; Amos 3:7; Matthew 16:17; Luke 2:26; Romans 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 3:3,5; Rev. 1:1), and only then will you be able to overcome the spirit of this world ( 1 John 5:4; Rev. 3:21) and learn what 'True Repentance' means, and how this whole world has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9). It should also be remembered that it is a narrow way that leadeth unto 'Life', and few there be that find it ( Matthew 7:14).

    LUKE 15:10. LIKEWISE, I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTETH.
  • Paul - In Reply on Numbers 23:22 - 3 years ago
    ....The Rhino is a massive bulwark of muscle and steel like bone...Powerful and mighty...This is the symbol of Ephriam and Manessah...
  • Bob Hilt - In Reply on Numbers 23:22 - 3 years ago
    The world turned the Unicorn into a horse like myth, but that is not what it means.

    The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros UNICORNis), is also called the great Indian rhinoceros it has only one horn hence UNI meaning one. The African Rhino has 2 horns.
  • Anthony Graham on Numbers 23:22 - 3 years ago
    What is the meaning of the strength of a unicorn aren't unicorn's fictional
  • Ngozi on chpter 19 on Numbers 23 - 4 years ago
    GOD is not a man that He should lie. that whole shows that what He said He will do He does is only in our hands to abide in Him and His words in us to get that.
  • Trudie on Numbers 23 - 5 years ago
    One of the questions for this chapter was how many times did Balaam bless Isreal. The answer that comes up is 4, but in chapter 24, vs10 it says he blessed them these three times. Please check on this and make the necessary correction for the answer.
  • A disciple on Numbers 23 - 6 years ago
    "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations." Israel wears the garments of her widowhood among the Nations, and her enemies mark her sins against the LORD; but God will save Israel before all!
  • Peter A. Okebukola on Numbers 23 - 7 years ago
    We must keep remembering that "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" We must keep trusting God and believing that if we stay at the centre of His will, He will do what He says He will do in our life.
  • Iola johnson on Numbers 23 - 7 years ago
    If God is for you who can be against you .The isrealiest are blessed by God
  • Anonymous on Numbers 23:19 - 8 years ago
    Numbers 23:19 prevents an heart attack in me every time the evil one hurls his spear of the fear of death at me, for God has promised me long life and welbeing in Ephessians 6:1-3.


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